Our Beauty Lab tested some of the most popular lotions and sprays to help you find the smartest pick for your year-round coverage.

More

view gallery

01of17

01Of17

01Of17

How We Tested

How We Tested

Experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Health, Beauty and Environmental Sciences Lab sent each of the 16 products to 22 women, ages 18 and above, including both mineral and chemical formulas. The former includes ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium oxide that sit on top of your skin to block the UVA and UVB rays. The latter is absorbed by the skin about 20 minutes after applying and soaks up the sun's rays like a sponge. Both chemical and physical sunscreens are proven safe and effective. Testers were asked to use both types of sunscreen for two weeks while being active outside. On average, they used the products six times and then filled out a 14-question survey to evaluate ease of application, absorption, fragrance, greasiness, tackiness and more. Testers were also asked to report if their skin ever sunburned while using the product outside and how well the formula seemed to resist water.

This spray tied for first place, receiving the highest scores in absorbency, texture and overall satisfaction. Our testers loved that this formula was "lightweight" and "soaked immediately" into skin. Its mild, fruity and sweet fragrance notes also earned praise. Its best-rated attribute: Not leaving a white residue on skin.

How We Tested

Experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Health, Beauty and Environmental Sciences Lab sent each of the 16 products to 22 women, ages 18 and above, including both mineral and chemical formulas. The former includes ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium oxide that sit on top of your skin to block the UVA and UVB rays. The latter is absorbed by the skin about 20 minutes after applying and soaks up the sun's rays like a sponge. Both chemical and physical sunscreens are proven safe and effective. Testers were asked to use both types of sunscreen for two weeks while being active outside. On average, they used the products six times and then filled out a 14-question survey to evaluate ease of application, absorption, fragrance, greasiness, tackiness and more. Testers were also asked to report if their skin ever sunburned while using the product outside and how well the formula seemed to resist water.

This spray tied for first place, receiving the highest scores in absorbency, texture and overall satisfaction. Our testers loved that this formula was "lightweight" and "soaked immediately" into skin. Its mild, fruity and sweet fragrance notes also earned praise. Its best-rated attribute: Not leaving a white residue on skin.

Tied for our top product, this lotion, designed for face and body, earned high scores all around. Consumers noted that it was "moisturizing" and liked its "neutral smell." Its best-rated attribute: Not making skin feel greasy, oily or slippery even in the hot sun. However, a few testers did note that the lotion was runny when coming out of the tube.

Banana Boat SunComfort Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 50+

This fragranced lotion trailed right behind the winners in its ratings. Consumers noted its best-rated attribute was "not making skin feel dry" and said it "didn't feel sticky or look slick" and "went on just like a moisturizer." Testers also noted that it helped their skin feel moisturized in the dry heat.

Coppertone Clearly Sheer Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray

Tied for runner up, consumers liked this fragrance spray for its "ease of application" and found that it wasn't irritating to the skin. However, this formula did score low in the water resistance category.

Neutrogena CoolDry Sport Sunscreen Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 50

Gaining the same score for overall satisfaction as the winner in our test, this spray with a fresh fragrance is perfect for the entire family. The formula earned solid scores all around for its effectiveness and testers found that it was very easy to apply. One tester training for a three-day 60-mile walk used it daily for 5-10 mile walks in the 80-100°F sun. After using, she says she would "definitely buy this product!" The formula lost points for being very drying on the skin, especially the face. One reviewer also noted that it took a lot of scrubbing to get the product off in the shower.

Sun Bum Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 50

Not only did this formula get the only perfect score for not stinging or irritating skin, testers also gave it the highest mark for its beachy scent. This thick lotion lost some points when it came to ease of applying and absorbency and testers found it left a white residue behind.

Coppertone Clearly Sheer Broad Spectrum SPF 50

This sheer formula was top rated for its non-drying skin feel and left skin soft and smooth rather than greasy. In the Lab, we felt that the lotion's fragrance was subtle, but several testers commented negatively on it being either "strong" or "unpleasant."

Bull Frog Sunscreen Lotion Water Sport Broad Spectrum SPF 50

Although this formula applies easily like a lotion and absorbed well onto skin, it can feel somewhat tacky as well as greasy when users are active in the heat. It got average scores for its scent, which we thought smelled like grapefruit in the Lab.